'Confidence in London just keeps growing', says Mayor

17 February 2012

Business confidence in London is growing, delivering jobs and strengthening the economy Mayor Boris Johnson said today as he highlighted several major firms who have pledged their commitment to invest in the capital.

The Mayor particularly welcomed today’s decision by global professional services group Harvey Nash to retain its headquarters in London, following a review which saw the firm considering New York, Dublin, Zurich and Hong Kong as potential new bases.

The company, which employs 200 people in London and 6,000 more in 40 offices worldwide, will move its headquarters from Mayfair to larger premises at the Heron Tower in the City. The firm plans to hire a further 100 staff over the next two years.

The news follows confirmation by US insurance giants Aon that it is moving its corporate headquarters from Chicago to London, a ringing endorsement of London's strong reputation as the centre of the global insurance and reinsurance industry. The capital received a further boost this week, as property giant Land Securities agreed a deal with the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board to kickstart the redevelopment of Victoria Circle in Victoria. The £1 billion development will create a thriving new residential, office and retail quarter supporting and delivering hundreds of new jobs.

On the eve of London Fashion Week, which will see around 5,000 visitors from across the world coming to see the best of British fashion and design, the Mayor confirmed a cash boost of £2.3 million for the capital’s creative industries. The Mayor’s investment will be channelled into the British Fashion Council, Film London and London Design Festival as part of a drive to help London’s creative industries - estimated to be worth around £19 billion to the economy and employing more than 380,000 people - to showcase themselves internationally and attract further inward investment from home and abroad.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "Despite difficult economic times London is attracting investment from across the world and remains a formidable force in an ever competitive global marketplace. It is clear that business confidence in our city and its economy is strong at all levels and as we look towards the most momentous year in living memory we must do all we can to capitalise on this. This summer, when we welcome the world for the 2012 Games and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, I believe we have the perfect opportunity to cement our reputation at home and abroad as the number one place to do business."